As Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley had success with big, physical cornerbacks. He could get another one in this scenario with Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes.

Rhodes is no Richard Sherman, but he does have great size and length for a cornerback, and has big upside. He is good value as a second-round selection, and would address one of the Jaguars’ greatest positions of need.

Defensive end is not a position of need following the free-agent signing of Glenn Dorsey, but with 14 draft picks, the 49ers can afford to draft on value over need. That could have them taking a chance on UCLA’s Datone Jones, an explosive inside-outside pass-rusher with high upside as a 5-technique defensive end.

Justin Smith’s final year of his contract could also be his last with the 49ers, so the time is now to develop his potential long-term successor. Jones has the potential to be a steal as a disruptive interior defensive end, and is worth taking a chance on early in Round 2.

Having released Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson, the Philadelphia Eagles need to find a 5-technique defensive end to play opposite Fletcher Cox in the team’s new 3-4 defensive alignment.

SMU’s Margus Hunt is an inconsistent player, but has the potential to develop into a star. He has tremendous length and athleticism, and while he needs better technique and motor, he has shown the potential to be a terrific 5-technique end if he can develop a more complete game.

Having lost Cliff Avril to the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions have a major need for a pass-rushing defensive end.

Alex Okafor has some flaws in his game, but the Texas defensive end is a gifted pass-rusher who uses his hands well and is dynamic off the edge when on top of his game. He is the best pass-rusher available, and addresses the Lions’ biggest need.

37. Cincinnati Bengals: Johnathan Cyprien, SS, Florida International

The Cincinnati Bengals need to upgrade over Taylor Mays at strong safety. Florida International’s Johnathan Cyprien is a hard-hitting, rangy playmaker who is shooting up draft boards. He is a good fit at strong safety and could be an immediate upgrade.

LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell are gone after one-year stints for the New York Jets at safety, leaving them in need of new starters at the position. The best safety available on the board, Florida’s Matt Elam, is an athletic, hard-hitting safety who is a solid early-second-round choice and a potential playmaker at strong safety.

The Tennessee Titans have a great pair of starting cornerbacks in Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner, but the depth behind them is lacking. The Titans can continue their effort to build up their secondary by adding Trufant, who can be an immediate fit in the nickel and give the Titans one of the NFL’s top trios at the cornerback position.

If Arthur Brown is still available, he should be a no-brainer for the Bills’ second-round selection. The athletic, instinctive Kansas State product can add a much-needed playmaker to the Bills’ linebacker corps, with the versatility to play a wide variety of linebacker spots in the Bills’ hybrid defense under new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.

The Miami Dolphins need depth all across their defensive line, and that is especially true at defensive tackle, where they have little behind starters Randy Starks and Paul Soliai, neither of whom is under contract past the 2013 season.

North Carolina’s Sylvester Williams is an explosive athlete for an interior defensive lineman who could add a spark rotationally as an interior pass-rusher, and be developed into a potential successor at the position. He is good value in Round 2, and with five draft picks in the first three rounds, the Dolphins can make value picks rather than simply focusing on addressing immediate needs.

43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State

Josh Freeman is entering the final year of his contract, and is coming off back-to-back seasons of underwhelming quarterback play. Drafting a quarterback to develop next season as a potential successor in 2014 would be a smart decision on Day 2 of the draft, and Florida State’s E.J. Manuel makes great sense.

A pro-style quarterback with a strong arm plus good footwork and athleticism, Manuel has the potential to be one of the best quarterbacks from the 2013 draft class. With proper time to develop, Manuel could be a very good franchise quarterback for the Buccaneers if they decide to move on from Freeman next offseason.

44. Carolina Panthers: Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers

The Carolina Panthers need to replace both of their starting cornerbacks from last season. Rutgers’ Logan Ryan is a well-rounded cornerback with good athleticism and ball skills, and he should be able to step in quickly as a lineup replacement for Chris Gamble or Captain Munnerlyn.

New Orleans Saints Pick Forfeited Due to Bountygate
The New Orleans Saints lost their second-round pick as part of their punishment for operating a bounty system.

45. San Diego Chargers: Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State

Even with a big free-agent signing of Derek Cox, another cornerback would be a smart investment early in the draft for the San Diego Chargers. Mississippi State’s Darius Slay is a talented cornerback shooting up draft boards after a terrific combine showing, and paired with Cox and Marcus Gilchrist could turn a weaker position on the Chargers’ roster last season into a 2013 strength.

The Rams found their left tackle in free-agent signing Jake Long, but they still have a need for reinforcements on their offensive line.

Alabama’s Barrett Jones is a great value selection in the middle of Round 2, and could be a very valuable addition. Jones could be an immediate upgrade at left guard, but also has the versatility to shift to center and right tackle if needed.

The Dallas Cowboys need to find an upgrade at right guard, and Larry Warford fits the bill. The 332-pound Kentucky interior lineman could be a massive upgrade — literally. A physical, powerful mauler with decent athleticism for his size, Warford could give the Cowboys much-needed help in both interior run blocking and pass protection.

Even though the pats have only five picks this draft, what are the chances they double dip in the receiver position? BB did it before with the TE and RB, why not now with the receivers? Complete the offense for the future. Players like Hunter, Hopkins, Woods, and Dobson would help the offense take it to the next level.

I’d love to see Dion Jordan slip to #17 insofar as I’m a Pittsburgher and a huge Steeler fan. But, I don’t think it likely. Jarvis Jones, if questions persist about his health, I can see at 17, maybe. But, Shariff Floyd at #18…I don’t think so. Then, to have Eddie Lacy, the only truly legitimate first round RB at 48, well, I had to stop there. Come on man!!! If he gets past Green Bay at 26 the GM of the Packers should be
executed, not just fired.

Seriously, this guy Dan gets paid to write this garbage. This is the worst mock draft I’ve. Seen yet. First everyone knows KC will either take a OL or trade it also cb banks going ten or something and DE floyed going around 15th. COMMON MAN, this looks like a mock draft from October. I hope you wrote this for free. Dan should have paid me for wasting my time reading this

I wouldn’t have said this before the rookie wage scale, but with the little money 1st round picks make and the fact they are guaranteed a 5th year. There is NO reason to not take a leap on a QB in the first, get the guy you want and hopefully you build around him. Its not like your paying him a lot of money any more, if he doesn’t work out (Weeden) draft again next year.

Ryan, i looking at how free agency is going to change draft boards and you see some teams talking about receivers, when half their team is missing, knowing they could use CBs, OTs, DTs etc. I don’t apologise for wanting Tavon Austin for the Patriots but it might be a slim to no chance but maybe not, i have been looking at some of teams that need receivers in front of us in the draft, some may value the larger receivers over Austin and ignorance is bliss.

You have the Packers taking a SIXTH tight end in the first round. Idiotic! When they need so much D help they won’t waste a pick on a TE. Round 2 you have them taking a DT. Again wasted pick. They are loaded with DTs. They need 3/4 DEs. Inside wasn’t their problem. Containing the corner was their biggest weakness. They will go in rounds 1&2 one of the following: LT if one slips to them-3/4 DE-Safety-RB in the second or third round only.

Am I the only one that thinks BB sees his TE’s as WR’s? Gronk and Hernandez will get 90 catches each if they play 16 games. That leaves Amendola as the 3rd option, probably Vereen as 3rd down back and Jones/yet to be determined as the other wideout. Even though Lloyd had decent stats last year BB was not ready to pay him $4mil as the 4th/5th option.

The biggest need is pass defense. Do they improve it by getting cover guys, improving the rush or a combo of both. Knowing BB it will be a combo, but not by spending big $$. They need at least one more cover corner and an interior rush guy.

Certainly the TEs are (ideally) more prominent in the passing game than the WRs in Belichick’s current system, which is the reverse of most other teams. I think the real issue is that they need someone to threaten down the field in order to keep opposing safeties honest; that in turn opens up the middle of the field and the running game. If Hernandez can be that guy, then the need for another WR is substantially diminished, but I’m not sure he has the raw speed for it.

Agreed on the pass defense–I’m inclined to think improving the pass rush is the first preference, although part of that will hopefully come from current player development. I’d really like to see either Freeney or Abraham on the roster as a situational pass rusher.

Can someone explain the fascination many have with the Patriots adding a DT in the draft in the first three rounds? The team literally has ONE proven receiver on the roster in Amendola, who is also injury prone, followed by a developmental prospect in Jones (I live outside Buffalo, the Bills fans are glad to see him go), a ST Captain and a bunch of practice squaders. In the secondary, they have a scumbag with bad hips who also has injury issues, a guy who may or may not be in jail/facing NFL suspension, Kyle “Broken Coverage” Arrington, Dowling and Cole. The way this draft played out, how on earth could you not pick Rhodes/Trufant first and Patton/Wheaton in the 2nd?

Meanwhile, at DT, the Pats have Pryor, Armstead, and Deaderick, competing for that spot next to Wilfork, with Forston and Love also on the roster. Pryor is the player that everyone is looking for, when healthy. He was a great interior pass rusher two seasons ago.

I just don’t get how they could pick their 9th ranked DT when higher ranked DBs and WRs are on the board.

Lets be realistic here:
1. Dennard will not spend time in jail and even if he does a weekend in jail at most he will be at camp and a starter on day one. Also, he will not face ANY suspension from the NFL. The offense happened while he played college football.

2. Talib who you refer to as a scumbag plays football very well.

But I will more than agree with you that CB and WR are early needs. Maybe even RT if we don’t sign anyone.

I agree that WR and CB are major issues, but I think the focus on DT is based on the fact that the team’s pass rush is awful.

When Chandler Jones went down with an injury, the rush was virtually nonexistent–any team that depends on a rookie that much for such a critical aspect badly needs a talent infusion. Ninkovich is solid to good, but he’s not really a rusher; more of a “hustle” player. Wilfork is unbelievable, but he’s just one player. That leaves one spot on the line that isn’t producing and can be upgraded. Hence, the focus on upgrading at DT. (Armstead may be that guy, of course, but there’s no telling just yet.)

No. The Patriots do not need a slot receiver, they need a perimeter guy (or 3). Also with only 3 useful draft picks I don’t see a scenario worth trading up for, unless it’s to get Trufant, and even then I’d be hesitant due to deep CB options

My thought being the same as last year. With Ballard, Ras I, Demps, Vega and Armstead. I’m not sure the Pats have as many roster spots as we would like to think. While there is no guarantee any of them make the team. It just feels like we want quality over quantity.

Ryan i hope Demps comes back from Track&field to make the squad, think of the real possibilities if we get this guy acclimated into our offense, i was watching his youtube highlights again, he is no lie the fastest running back and he has really good hands too. If BB and Mcdaniels can get Demps back to football and get him committed to the game, this realistically could be the best weapon the Patriots have and Leon Washington’s stay could be cut.

I agree that there are always fewer roster spots than it appears, but I have a feeling that three of those guys (Demps, Dowling, Vega) may not even make the team. There are also usually surprise cuts that require backfilling.

Im with you. Not sure why they would use one of their limited picks on a TE. There are 5 on the roster with 3 of them under 25 I think. I do like Rhodes and Patten tho.

I think they trade back for a 2nd and a couple of 4s and double up on WR in the 2nd and 3rd round. I would like Hopkins, Patton, Allen or Wheaton. After that draft on value, trading back when the value isnt there for remaining needs of DT, CB, Interior OL, LB/DE.

Hmm Woods over Hopkins, Trufant, Cyprien and Jones tough call I’d personally would take Hopkins over Woods durabilty concerns me but Trufant over Hopkins and address receiver later thats my two cents for what its worth lol.

Let it go man. Love, Deaderick and and an oft injured Pryor are part of the long term problem, not the solution. If they can get a DT at 29 that is a value pick then I am all for it. The offense isn’t a problem, they can score points. The D needs help. And with Dennard, Talib and Arrington the need along the D line may be greater. BPA, if that is a WR so be it.

Wilfork is not getting an younger, and BB needs to think of the future. If Wilfork gets hurt,…. The Dline is in trouble. I think DT Brendon Williams is a guy that the Patriots will target, and CAN get. Jesse Williams will be an option, but chances are he is gone early.

Love Woods in the first and Alford in the 3rd. I’m not sure Woods will be there, but then again I personally have him a lot higher than most. The whole draft will hinge on how many QB’s and OT’s/OG’s go in the first round. A lot of good talent could fall as a result. Otherwise I really see the Pats moving out of the first. Possible trade with the Chiefs.